What did our readers find most interesting on Sun for 2024? John Anderson, Oak Duke, Bob Confer attract millions
The list is based on the top stories read by our readers. It was another banner year for the Sun, reaching record number of readers during June and July, with over one million visitors.
Nearly 6 million visited our site for local news, high school sports reporting, hundreds of columns and “op-ed” pieces, business news, and obituaries. While most of our readers are from Allegany County and Western New York, we provide updates to many across the country about what is going on “back home.”
The stories you loved ranged from feature, crime stories, new businesses and especially restaurants, sports features and columns.
Top news stories
As a contributing editor, John Anderson writes a lot of feature stories, news and sports, but not as many investigative pieces as he did as an editor of a daily newspaper.
However, with two Associated Press awards for investigative reporting from his time at the Wellsville Daily Reporter and one J. Thomas Bulson Award from the New York Publishers Association for a series while he was an editor at the Batavia Daily News, we ask him to do a few for the Sun.
Couple that with Andrew Harris digging deep into issues that matter in Wellsville and the region, there are some good investigative pieces.
Anderson’s shining moment was uncovering money residents from the flooding in Whitesville, Canisteo and Woodhull would not go to the residents. Gov. Kathy Hochul came to South Canisteo and in front of a home that was destroyed and said residents would receive an extra $50,000. A look at the website showed residents made too much money to get the funding. The governor’s office countered by telling Anderson no one has been denied because they haven’t looked over application.
Anderson would not take that answer. He interviewed residents and talked to elected officials. Within days, Gov. Hochul changed the financial parameters to not only income, but median income for the municipality you live in.
Something happened we did not expect: When the story was written, it was to help residents of Steuben and Allegany counties. When the parameters changed, they changed state-wide. We heard from state residents in St. Lawrence County and Long Island who thanked us because they were now eligible for the $50,000. They said this money would help with rent and utilities as they are paying the mortgage on their destroyed homes and rebuilding their lives. Some had insurance, some did not qualify. But the money was a help.
Anderson asks for answers for flood victims who won’t receive $50,000
INCREDIBLE FLOOD VIDEOS and PHOTOS: John Anderson reports nationally on local flooding
BREAKING NEWS: Governor’s office making it easier to help storm victims receive $50,000
One dead from gunshot after truck drives through front of Cuba casino
Wellsville Municipal Parking Lot: Storage sheds removed by court order (Video, Photos, Story)
Wellsville man objects to proposed “East Historic District”
Why the 16-hour power outage in Wellsville?
Cuba Lake resident, regional businessman, and friend to many Daniel Whitford dies at 46
Will FEMA change flood regulations?
VIDEO: Car fire on the Summit today … and it’s a Ford
Where will Whitesville students will attend for the 2024-2025 school year
Disgusting: Deer carcasses dumped into the Genesee River, GRAPHIC
Woman wanted for triple-murder leads high-speed chase from Allegany County to Bath
Our friend Dan Hart was a “jolly good fellow
Master Gardener Volunteer Series: What’s Up with the Earwigs
With over 3.5 million views, Facebook video brings awareness, help to Canisteo and beyond
Double-fatal car accident in Allegany County on Friday afternoon
Largest drug bust in Allegany County history valued at $4 million
Shooting in Hornell leads to FBI investigation
OTHERS: One critically injured, helicopters called for three others after RV-flatbed accident in Allegany County; Scio Central School will hold special public meeting; The ash trees are decimated, who is next? The maple, cherry, or the oak?; Major electromagnetic storm hits: Northern lights visible tonight in much of upstate NY; Police, first responders call off search for teen in Genesee River in Belfast; Attempted Murder: Several shots fired as Wellsville man shot walking away from argument; VIDEO: Amish-owned horse runs wild at Wellsville Country Club causes substantial damage to tees, greens; Sad News: Brad Gena, owner of the Wellsville General Store died unexpectedly today; Amish horse cart struck by vehicle in Wellsville, serious injuries; A rare hot air balloon mishap handled “expertly” by the Wellsville emergency services team; State Police: Man arrested for attempted murder of a police officer near Scio NY; Arrest made in the fiery ending to iconic “Old Pink” in Buffalo
Other top news headlines you read: SPCA Serving Allegany County sets record straight after Andover cat adoption; The family of Bryar Collins donates to the Dr. F. Clifton Miller Trust in honor of their son; Longtime local town justice and first responder James Ames has unexpectedly passed away; More than a bridge: Why the Madison Street span has special meaning and is much safer; Can you help? A young family is facing a cancer fight; The Black Dahlia Revisited: Steve Hodel’s Shocking Revelations and the Lingering Enigma; NY FOCUS: ‘In a Bind’: New Yorkers Rejecting Transition to Electric School Buses, Despite Mandate; Wellsville man charged with murder in Woodhull on Saturday; Wellsville Central School announced resignation of Superintendent David Foster; Wellsville Police Department make multiple felony arrests at 105 Earley Street; Fire destroys Bolivar family home, how to donate clothes and funds, striking photo gallery; BREAKING: Alfred Police Chief gives reason for being placed on leave; FEDS: Allegany NY duo faces 15 years for child abuse and exploitation; Whoops: Vehicle crashes into Scio NY Post Office, no injuries reported and Angelica “Portable Above Ground Gas Station” opens, first in the nation.
Features on your friends, family and neighbors
One of the goals of the Sun is to provide a one-stop place to find out about things happening in the community. We announce events, donations made by clubs and appointments of interest with schools and county governments.
But we also take the time to sit down and talk to people, talk to others and put together a nice feature.
Here are the most-read features from 2024:
Carved, sealed, delivered: Beef Haus sale finalized as Insley family says thanks for the memories
“The Store” in Scio NY has new owners, Potter Family celebrates 35 years of stewardship
Exploring the Western NY Wilds: What are those bugs trying to get into your house?
GALLERY: Fillmore model will hit the runway at LA Fashion Week
Popular Texas Hot server will pull this Friday at the Allegany County Fair
Top columns of the year:
Anderson Column:Getting back to Wellsville was a long road for Officer Dibble
In the Outdoors: When bucks drop their antlers
In the Outdoors: When the chase is on
Column: “Gruesome crime again highlights failed bail reform”
Oak Duke: Trickle rut and no snow on Opening Day
Learning about the heart of a cashier who went above and beyond at Giant Food Mart
The return of the Golden Girl: Kathryn Ross’ first column with the Wellsville Sun
To Float an idea, by Sean Hyland, Alfred Station
The community won’t stand ‘Pat’ when it comes to helping Sawyer
In the Outdoors: Forecasting the 2024 whitetail Rut
Business news and food
Stillwater Pizza and Grill to re-open in Wellsville this winter
New Family Restaurant, “The Arena” coming to the Bolivar Road in Wellsville
Quicklee’s and Tim Horton’s on the Bolivar Road in Wellsville has been “cancelled” by developer
Small business spotlight: Meet “Matco Bill” owner of local auto tool and supply franchise
Top Sports Stories
We’ve noticed a trend in sports coverage over the past five years. Readers do not want game coverage, they want features, columns and interesting stories.
Why the change?
First, if someone wants to know about the game, they attend. Or watch on a livestream. Second, as soon as the game ends, the team or school posts the score and sometimes a few names on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or a website. There are also the parents who post photos of the score and information. Others update their stories on social media as well.
As a Google partner, stories on the Wellsville Sun, Hornell Sun and Keuka Sun will come up at the top of searches, so a headline about Hornell’s Rayyan Buell that includes Deion Sanders and Colorado will do very well. And it did. It was our No. 1 sports story of the year.
Then there’s Chuck Pollock. He earned his National Sportswriter and Sports Columnist of the Year honors from the Associated Press during a time when 80 percent of newspapers in the state and nation were in his circulation category. One thing that resonates with readers is, they can watch the same Buffalo Bills or St. Bonaventure game Chuck watched and yet he finds things we missed and he puts quotes and stats together to make his point in his columns.
Pollock also pulled no punches with his opinions on the Bonnies and Bills, and those were top stories as well. The Hornell baseball section final was our #1 story in 2023 and it continued to be an interesting read in 2024, making the list once again. We didn’t know where to put this next story, but we put it in sports. Carrie McFall told a guest dining at the Beef Haus restaurant he looked just like NFL Hall of Famer and former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly. After a few minutes of fun at her expense, Kelly let her in on the secret, he was Jim Kelly.
Here are the top sports stories and links to read them again:
Pollock: ‘Are you noticing what Josh Allen has accomplished?’
Pollock: Did Buffalo Bills lose a second quarterback in Trubisky during win over Steelers?
Another Eric Jones masterpiece supports Buffalo Bills’ kicker Tyler Bass
Pollock: St. Bonaventure made every excuse not to play in the NIT except the eclipse
Pollock: Bona’s Manhertz’s self-inflicted NIT embarrassment ended his tenure
Pollock: Miami was ‘like a home game’ for the Bills, but Buffalo may move forward without Bernard
Allegany County Sports Hall of Fame adds 11 news inductees during 20th annual event
Pollock: Bonnies endure season’s worst four days; The current player situation isn’t better
From the Buffalo Bills to Main Street in Wellsville: Eric Jones’ national TV pumpkin now on display
